#LAMBMETRICS for the day
Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks
Born today: 4
Total Lambs Born: 7
Drysdale lambs (live total): [no purebreds in 2019]
DrysdaleX lambs (total): 6
English Leicester lambs (live total): 1
Total Sets of Twins born: 2
Total Sets of Triplets born: 0
Total ewe lambs: 2
Total ram lambs: 5
Ewes lambed /68: 5 (7.3 %)
Lamb % : 140 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 1
Losses: 0
Notable Midwifery tales:
The set of twins born this morning were beset by “interested parties” early on and so had to be relieved of the extra attention…! Hopefully it inspires those ewes to have their own!
The English Leicester ewe lamb, Charly, that was born yesterday is possibly getting slightly less milk than I’d like but her mum has always been quite good so I’m trying to give her the benefit of the doubt and a few days for her milk to come in more. Fingers crossed there! Bub is pooping like a champion though so that is always a good sign! Hahaha
Just after lunch we noticed a Drysdale ewe who seemed a bit more “uncomfortable” than usual. Closer inspection revealed that she had a perfectly presented lamb but he was a bit of a boofa and his shoulders got stuck, much to his mum’s discomfort.
A simple assistance and his mum was relieved but he was looking a bit worse for wear. When they get stuck for a while the head and tongue swell and he seemed a bit reluctant to breathe on his own to begin with.
It took a fair effort of chest stimulation and periodic hanging upside down for nasal passage drainage for him to get breathing properly. (It always reminds me of the classic Monty Python scene in “The Meaning of Life” where the doctors in the hospital birth proclaim “aaaand the Rough Towels!”) Bub’s mum was keen to get her licking in as well. She is also a complete poser when the camera came out. She probably felt like crap but seriously – the camera was pointed in her direction and she posed sweetly then went back to licking! Hahaha
Once bub was holding his own we left them to bond for an hour or so.
When we returned the lamb was able to stand and was feeling quite perky. His mum though was having some issues getting back on her feet. (A few key ligaments are feeling a bit stretched and sore!)
A chariot was required to convey her to the hay shed for the night!
This ewe must have been a show ewe in a former life. She stepped delicately onto the tractor carry-all platform, sat down (with a little encouragement) and then regally sat there and didn’t move/flinch/or stress about the platform going UP and then the tractor ride to the shed. Upon arrival she calmly stood after the platform descended and then walked after her lamb into the shed….
The lamb probably isn’t “out of the woods” completely yet (am about to go check them) but things look hopeful. You never quite know the extent of internal damage or bruising in cases like this. The tongue swelling has gone down though and he has been drinking. All going well the ewe will be back on her feet properly tomorrow.
